A proper national anthem

[Cathryn]

Watching the rugby today, it occurred to me (again) that our current national anthem isn't exactly great. Personally I rather like the Queen and think she does an excellent job, but shouldn't national anthems be about your nation, which doesn't change, as opposed to the monarch who does?

As such, I would vote for either Land of Hope and Glory or Rule Britannia becoming our national anthem - probably the former!! Makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

 

[Noodley]

Land of Hope and Glory or Rule Britannia
QUOTE]

So, the unofficial anthem of the Tories or a pompous celebration of imperialism?

 

[Big Bren]

Since I believe the royal family to be a pointless bunch of inbred Germans, I couldn't really give a stuff. If the national anthem is to change though, let the good old British public decide; we'd probably end up with 'Angels' by Robbie Williams or something equally chavtastic.

Bren

 

[Cathryn]

Any brighter suggestions then, oh cynical one??

 

[Tim Bennet.]

It's not only we don't have a decent British National Anthem, the rugby also shows that we don't have an English Anthem at all. However, I think Flanders and Swan were along the right lines:

The English
(Flanders & Swan)

The rottenest bits of these islands of ours
We've left in the hands of three unfriendly powers
Examine the Irishman, Welshman or Scot
You'll find he's a stinker as likely as not

The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest

The Scotsman is mean as we're all well aware
He's boney and blotchy and covered with hair
He eats salty porridge, he works all the day
And hasn't got bishops to show him the way

The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest

The Irishman now our contempt is beneath
He sleeps in his boots and he lies through his teeth
He blows up policemen or so I have heard
And blames it on Cromwell and William the Third

The English are moral the English are good
And clever and modest and misunderstood

The Welshman's dishonest, he cheats when he can
He's little and dark more like monkey than man
He works underground with a lamp on his hat
And sings far too loud, far too often and flat

The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest

And crossing the channel one cannot say much
For the French or the Spanish, the Danish or Dutch
The Germans are German, the Russians are red
And the Greeks and Italians eat garlic in bed

The English are noble, the English are nice
And worth any other at double the price

And all the world over each nation's the same
They've simply no notion of playing the game
They argue with umpires, they cheer when they've won
And they practice before hand which spoils all the fun

The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest

It's not that they're wicked or naturally bad
It's just knowing they're foreign that makes them so mad
The English are all that a nation should be
And the pride of the English are Donald (Michael) and me

The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest

 

[gavintc]

Perhaps I am a traditionalist, but I still quite like our anthem. Anthems are not expected to be No1 best selllers, but to live through time. Personally, I hate both Land of Hope and Rule Britannia; pompous pious crap.

 

[scm]

... shouldn't national anthems be about your nation, which doesn't change, as opposed to the monarch who does?

I think Prince Charles may dispute your assertion about the monarch changing!

 

[johnr]

Billy Connolly made a very convincing case for the Archers theme tune... a very jaunty, non-aggressive air.

 

[johnr]

ps A Norweigian friend once translated theirs. It was lovely. All about what a nice place Nprway is... nothing at all about ramming anything down any- every-one else's throats.

 

[Elmer Fudd]

William Blake - Jeruselem

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

 

[tomb1960]

I agree Cathryn God Save the Queen is awful, I wonder if the answer is to keep the National Anthem/Dirge and have a Rugby Anthem in addition like the Irish do. I think Eimer Fudd's suggestion of Jerusalem is a good one, it's easy to sing after all!

 

[zimzum42]

Couldn't they just keep the present anthem, but add a garage beat underneath it, jazz it up a bit?

 

[Cathryn]

I'd settle for Jerusalem although I do suspect 'those feet in ancient times' didn't quite get over to Blighty!!

My vote still goes to Land of Hope and Glory though....

 

[Unkraut]

It's not only we don't have a decent British National Anthem, the rugby also shows that we don't have an English Anthem at all. However, I think Flanders and Swan were along the right lines:

Not forgetting of course that Flanders introduces the song with the words 'What English national song have we got? Jerusalem'!!

 

[girofan]

How about a multi-cultural, positive discrimination, anti-bullying, non racial stereotype, politically correct sort of anthem.